‘I’m 100% proud’: £35m player suggests he has no regrets after not joining Newcastle this summer

Add as preferred source on Google

At the start of the summer transfer window, it looked like Gabri Veiga would be joining Allan Saint-Maximin at Newcastle United.

By the time the window closed, Veiga and Saint-Maximin were teammates, but not in the black and white of Newcastle.

That is because the Magpies sold the Frenchman to Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli, as they looked to ease their financial fair play concerns. The deal allowed Eddie Howe to bring in Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento, although Premier League rivals did complain about the nature of the deal given Newcastle’s involvement with Saudi Arabia.

But Saint-Maximin was not the only Premier League player to sign for Al Ahli. He is now teammates with Roberto Firmino, Riyad Mahrez and Edouard Mendy, who arrived from Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea respectively.

Al Ahli also recruited from elsewhere, and were able to tempt a 21-year-old Gabri Veiga to the Middle East.

The Spaniard joined Al Ahli, despite being heavily linked with a £35million move to the Premier League. He was a major target for Newcastle United, and there were even claims in Spain that a deal was close to being done.

That proved to be wide of the mark, but Toon officials certainly had their eye on Veiga and were big fans of the young playmaker.

However, he shockingly took his talents to Saudi Arabia at the age of 21, and has now explained his decision.

Newcastle target Gabri Veiga explains why he moved to Saudi Arabia

Veiga has spoke to El Larguero, and was asked if he moved to Saudi Arabia because of the money.

“I did not join Saudi just for money,” he said.

“It was the best option to develop as a player, grow under a young coach, team full of stars and league improving as Saudi Pro League.

“I’m 100% proud of my choice.”

An interesting transfer decision from Gabri Veiga

The amount of players moving to Saudi Arabia during the summer transfer window was staggering, but it was even more surprising to see players like Veiga make the move.

He is an extremely talented youngster who was being linked with Real Madrid, yet he thinks a move to the Saudi Pro League was the best thing for his career.

That seems hard to believe, although he is playing alongside some quality players. As well as the aforementioned former Premier League stars, Veiga is also teammates with Franck Kessie, Roger Ibanez and Merih Demiral.

On top of that, he is working under a bright young manager in 35-year-old Matthias Jaissle, who was previously in charge of Red Bull Salzburg.

Regardless, it is hard to believe that, despite interest from Champions League clubs like Newcastle and Real Madrid, plus historic sides like Chelsea and Liverpool, Veiga decided that a move to Saudi was the best thing for his career.